Saracens' Billy Vunipola admits he is playing catch-up as he goes head-to-head
with Ben Morgan, his Gloucester rival for an England shirt, at Kingsholm on
Friday

New year, new Billy Vunipola, primed for the head-to-head battle against Ben Morgan at Kingsholm tonight for that England No 8 shirt in the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff in a month’s time.

Vunipola concedes that the Gloucester man has the whip hand over him, that he is playing catch-up in those international stakes after being dropped in the middle of the autumn QBE series. Morgan took full advantage with storming performances against Samoa and Australia to be named England’s man of the series no less.

Vunipola cut a forlorn figure at the time with his shuffling, hangdog appearance, downcast and fretful, worried about his form and his England status. Those blues have been banished.

Vunipola, a bear of a man but a sensitive soul, has been forced to look within to find solutions to his mindset on the field. He has gone back to his roots, to his instinctive feel for a game first nurtured through his Tongan-influenced rugby upbringing.

He has natural ability, a presence on the ball, an ability to shrug off tacklers through strong hips and direct running. His skills are one thing, his attitude another. As he concedes, his background has made him deferential to others, ceding to his elders. All this has gone into the mix in recent weeks as Vunipola has come to terms with the fact that he has had to both grow up and take responsibility as well as chill out.

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“It has definitely been the biggest setback I have had,” he said. “I did let things get to me, got worried about it all, got uptight, had self-doubt. and that is not really me.

“Mind you, people think I’m laid back but I do really care about playing for England, as was shown by the fact that I did take such a big hit from things in the autumn. I may not show that it hurts but it did and it does. It is true that perhaps I took things for granted and did not realise what a big deal it is to play No 8 for England. It can be taken away from you as quickly as it was given. It’s a precious thing.

“Of course, I was giving it my best but you have to realise that all the others boys are on the outside snapping at your heels and you have got to deliver.”

England head coach Stuart Lancaster encapsulated much of the conundrum that is Vunipola when he said that there had been times when he did not know whether to give him a boot up the backside or put an arm around him.

Vunipola accepts that premise although he is quick to point out that he much prefers tough love to harsh rollickings. His time back at Saracens has been fruitful.

Vunipola was their stand-out player over the festive period, forceful, dominant and involved. He certainly seems to have regained his mojo.

“Yeah, I have had to learn from the experience, recognise that I am at my best when I focus on the fun of the game rather than worrying too much about this or that,” he said. Look, Friday night is a massive night for the club and, in that context, for me. I can’t go out there thinking too much about Ben [Morgan] and what I need to do to catch the eye of Stuart [Lancaster].

“If I do that, then I will be forcing things and that is never good. I have to play it as I see it. I know what is at stake, for the team first and foremost. If you go in with that attitude, good things usually follow.”

There is little doubt that Vunipola at full pelt is a formidable asset, Morgan likewise. The Gloucester man has more pick-up pace, Vunipola the greater strength through the tackle.

It looked in the autumn as if the Saracen lacked sharp-edged conditioning, a sense that he was that half yard or split second off the pace. He knows that he has to keep up with his fitness levels as he is naturally a big man.

There were other issues in play, too, one of which was a delayed reaction to a hefty head knock he had taken against Munster in early October.

Like so many players, Vunipola tried to make light of it at the time but it took its toll. “Concussion is such a difficult issue for players,” said Vunipola, delighted that his club have been pioneers in regard to adopting the wearing of cutting-edge patches that scientifically detect the impact of blows to the head.

“I played down the knock, didn’t want to appear soft, but it definitely affected me. I didn’t appreciate all the different effects. When I played again, I found that I was being a bit tentative, hanging back from piling in to a ruck as I was worried about my head. Now I’m flying in again.”

Vunipola did not wear a patch in last week’s game, the first time the devices were used in English rugby, as it was uncomfortable. “But I will as I’ve had a few big knocks already and I’m only 22,” he said.

England are in the fortunate position of having two high-quality No 8s pushing each other to reach high standards. Morgan has had his walkabout moments in matches, too, that air of not quite being involved enough. Vunipola admits that he himself was “a bit slack” in his approach to things. The return from injury of his brother – and Saracens loosehead prop – Mako has also had an uplifting effect.

Saracens have no doubts about Vunipola’s potential, revelling in his return to form. “He is back to his best, at the level he was just before last season’s two finals [Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership],” said Mark McCall, the Saracens director of rugby.

“Billy is a lovely young man, and it is only right that we cut him some slack at certain points. He invested so much in last season and it hit him hard losing those two finals. You have got to appreciate what Billy offers and not expect him to be a non-stop back-rower, like Chris Robshaw for example. He gives you power and dynamism. His work rate has improved massively and his contributions for us have been brilliant.”

Both teams will rely on their main men to produce. Morgan has to help steer Gloucester clear of their worst losing streak at Kingsholm in 19 years while Vunipola is the point man in the back row as Saracens look to extend their good run in the West Country, where they have lost only once in their past nine visits.

One thing is clear: the game within the game, Vunipola against Morgan, will be worth the admission price alone.